April 2008
News You Can Use Brought to you by: Your name here Your contact details here
Simple Ways to Make Your Bathroom Seem Larger If you want to make your small bathroom look larger, you don’t need to spend a great deal of money.
Tasty Foods to Snack on That Won’t Make You Fat
Begin with choosing a pale, soft color which tends to give the illusion of more space, and the feeling of serenity.
Modern dietary wisdom recommends snacking between meals. Yet snacking on the wrong foods adds calories without providing nourishment. What we need are tasty, portable treats that satisfy without fattening.
You can jazz up your bathroom with bright accessories, towels, and throw rugs. If you like wallpaper, remember to choose open, airy designs with white and neutral colors, as bold, busy wallpaper will make the room appear smaller
What to Eat
Think about replacing your vanity with a pedestal sink or a wall mounted sink, both which provide a feeling of openness. Add a large mirror over the sink to reflect all the light in the room while it picks up the colors. Avoid the use of shelves or hanging racks. Anything that protrudes will take up space, and make the area feel smaller. Keep your floor covering light, again adding bold or pattern throw rugs for accents. And lastly, don’t forget about lighting. The brighter and lighter the room, the larger it will appear. Add decorative wall sconces, and table lamps in addition to overhead lighting and natural lighting provided for by windows and skylights.
Putting Your House Up For Sale? Get These Essential Tips Delete this text and insert your picture here
If you want to get the best price for your house, it's essential to prepare it for sale. Homes that have been "staged" go for a lot more money…and sell much more quickly too.
There are so many healthy snacks that the answer to “What do I eat?” is “Eat what you like.” Ideas are abundant online, with selections listed by food group and calorie count. Snacking information is commonly posted for students, who need constant streams of energy and have irregular habits. You’ll find mention of fruit bars, dried apricots, popcorn cakes, celery with bean dip, pretzels dipped in mustard or chocolate syrup, baby carrots and cottage cheese, baked tortilla chips, frozen yogurt, spiced applesauce, animal crackers and dozens of others. There are brand-name snacks that get the nod, such as V8 100% Vegetable Juice, Fig Newtons and Del Monte Fruit Cups. Drying foods at home provides much scope for munching. A dehydrator costs less than $200 and will dry slices of everything from bananas to beef. Snacking Our Way to Health
To give yourself a head start, get my free guide, "50 Essential Tips to Prepare Your Home for a Speedy, Top-Price Sale."
Snacks help us to make all kinds of changes, such as losing weight, gaining weight, reducing fat or carbohydrates, and consuming vitamins and minerals. Packages of 100-calorie snacks take the edge off hunger and are beneficial to weight loss.
Just call me at 555-555-5555 and I'll send it right out to you.
Plan your snacks to fit your goals and your timetable, and prepare ahead.
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Buyers: How to Choose a Good Home Inspector You’ve signed a contract to buy a house. The contract contains a clause stipulating that the property must pass a home inspection. The choice of a home inspector is the last safeguard between you and potential disaster. Here’s how to find the right professional to protect your interests.
including electrical, plumbing, heating, interior and exterior. He or she is not required to go anywhere not readily accessible or to dismantle any aspect of the property. For a comprehensive list of what’s included in an inspection, visit ASHI or NAHI online and read their Standards of Practice sections.
Where to Look
Should You Be Present?
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) have online locators. These associations are tasked with promoting the profession and protecting its reputation. What an Inspector Does The home inspector examines the property from foundation to roof,
Quick Quiz Each month I’ll give you a new question based on this newsletter. Just email me at xxxxx@xxxx.com or call xxx-xxx-xxxx for the answer. Here’s the question. April is known in some parts of the country for having strange weather. Which writer called April “The Cruelest Month”?
Yes. It’s not mandatory, but it’s strongly encouraged. Be there, and ask any questions that come to mind. Qualifications and Experience
I succeed when people like you refer me to their friends, neighbors and loved ones. It's the best kind of feedback I can receive. So thanks for continuing to pass this newsletter around to people you care about.
Here’s what some people said about school: "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain "I quit school in the sixth grade because of pneumonia. Not because I had it, but because I couldn't spell it." Rocky Graziano "Experience is a good school. But the fees are high." Heinrich Heine
It goes without saying that you’ll request the qualifications and experience of any home inspector under consideration. Seek a sample report, and ask for references from previous clients.
Wondering How Much Your Home Is Worth? Has your home gone up in value? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for? If you're wondering what's happening to prices in your area, or you're thinking about selling your house, I'll be able to help. Just give my office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation. I won't try to push you into listing with me or waste your time.
Thanks for All Your Referrals!
Worth Quoting
I'll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value. And maybe I'll also give you the "inside scoop" on what's happening in the housing market near where you live! Just give my office a call at 555-5555555 to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, stop by at the office. The address is on the back page of this newsletter.
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"True terror is to wake up in the morning and discover that your high school class is running the country." Kurt Vonnegut "The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson." Tom Bodett "I only wish I'd applied myself in school. Imagine how much farther I would have gone in life." Ronald Reagan "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school." Albert Einstein "We all learn by experience, but some of us have to go to summer school." Peter De Vries "You can think of Hollywood as high school. TV actors are freshmen, comedy actors are maybe juniors, and dramatic actors – they're the cool seniors." Owen Wilson
Is a Condo or Townhome Right for You? Buyers from many walks of life are discovering the advantages of condo and townhome living. Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for an affordable way to own a home, a busy professional with little time to devote to home maintenance, or an empty-nester who’s “right-sizing,” a condo or townhome may be a good choice for you. Advantages • A condo or townhome is very low maintenance; landscaping and maintenance of the exterior structure are typically handled by the homeowners’ association (HOA). This is attractive if you’re not “handy” or if you have a busy lifestyle that doesn’t leave much
time for home maintenance. Many communities offer • amenities such as pools, tennis courts, clubhouses, and walking trails, which may not be available with many detached homes. • Newer construction offers greatly improved sound barriers and fire walls. • The proximity of neighbors may give owners a greater sense of security. Disadvantages • HOA dues increase your monthly outgoings and can rise in the future as maintenance and repair costs go up. Increases or decreases in HOA fees usually must be approved by the
Tips to Help You Feel Less Rushed Getting things done faster has given us more to do, so we continue to feel rushed. For the sake of everyone’s happiness, perhaps it’s time to slow down and smell the roses. Do Less The best way to be supportive of others is to take restorative time to ourselves, so when we’re really needed, we’re there and prepared. Increase Focus Masters of any art know how time is capable of expanding so that each moment has greater breadth. By concentrating our focus entirely on the present moment, we can slow down without needing more seconds on the clock. Easy Does It Resist the temptation to slow down vigorously. Make continual small changes, and enjoy each one thoroughly.
3 Easy Things You Can Do to Be More Green Here are three easy things you can do to be a little bit greener and do your part to fight global warming. 1) Replace your regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting. These new bulbs come in many shapes and sizes. Not only will you become greener, but you’ll also save money on your electricity bill.
HOA, but check the community bylaws before making an offer to purchase a condo or townhome. HOA covenants and by-laws • may restrict the way you can use or improve your property. Again, be sure to read them carefully before making an offer. • Available parking for guests may be limited. • Typically, there is less storage space than in a detached home.
2) Change or clean the filter in your air conditioner and furnace. Dirty filters cause the unit to become less efficient. 3) Turn down your water heater to the warm setting (around 120 F). Water doesn’t need to be any hotter – and you might avoid scalding yourself! Page 3
Before purchasing any home, consider the potential for resale. To determine if the property you’re considering is a good investment, ask about the condo/townhome market in your area.
Fascinating Facts About April • Apple Computer was formed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on April 1, 1976. • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech on April 3, 1968. • The Beatles occupied the top five positions on the Billboard Top 40 chart on April 4, 1964. • The Ford Motor Company unveiled the Ford Mustang on April 17, 1964. • Coca-Cola changed its formula and released the disastrous New Coke on April 23, 1985. • The Woolworth Building in New York City was opened on April 24, 1913. • The first container ship left Port Newark, New Jersey, for Houston, Texas, on April 26, 1956. • The Superjumbo Airbus A380 made its first flight from Toulouse, France, on April 27, 2005. • Dennis Tito became the world's first space tourist on April 28, 2001.
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This Month’s Sudoku
Recipe: Carrot Soup with Ginger and Orange 6 servings • •
3 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups sliced leeks, green and white parts • 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced • ½ pound red potatoes, peeled and cubed • 2 teaspoons grated ginger • 5 cups chicken stock • ½ cup orange juice • 2 teaspoons orange zest • Salt and pepper to taste Heat olive oil in a large pot then add the leeks and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add carrots, potatoes and ginger to the leeks and continue to sauté for another 5 min. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium/low, cover partially and simmer until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside until slightly cooled.
This newsletter and any information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible for errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.
News You Can Use is brought to you free by: Your Name Here Your Office Address City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code Telephone E-mail Web site Thanks for reading! If you'd like to tell me what you think about this newsletter, or if you're thinking of buying or selling real estate, please get in touch.
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Blend the soup being careful not to fill the blender more than half way at a time. Return soup to the pot and place over medium heat. Add orange juice and zest, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with orange slices or chives.
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